Animated Deluxe Bumblebee / Animated Deluxe Prowl

[Pascal]

BUMBLEBEE

Pros
-relatively complex transformation on par with movie toys
-accessories (rocket boosters) to mimic the show
-stinger gimmick is simple yet effective and adds play value
-articulation is excellent (head can even look perfectly straight up when he's flying with the rocket boosters)
-no visible robot parts in car mode unless you flip the car over... head and arms are then a bit visible

Cons
-light on top is painted, would have looked better clear red
-blocky feet/toes (but poseable)
-stinger halves cannot fully hide in forearms
-robot chest is a cheat
-looks big compared to other Animated deluxe figures (mostly because of the head)
-elbow swivels would have been cool

PROWL

Pros
-very clean bike mode with no visible robot parts
-very clean robot mode with minimal visible bike parts
-no kibble
-traffic light accessory is unique
-cool little blade stars
-very good transformation
-amazing articulation (think Movie Landmine with nothing in the way)
-translucent red/blue police lights
-looks just like he does in the cartoon
-working kickstand
-retractable handlebars

Cons
-blob of gold paint on the face (probably only my figure though, but easy to remove)
-slightly loose hip joints (at least on mine - fixed with a few drops of super glue)
-traffic light accessory is goofy
-deco is a tad boring
-feet design makes it tricky to balance

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3303.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3304.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3298.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3297.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3296.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3301.jpg

[Pascal]

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3292.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3300.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3295.jpg

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3302.jpg

[CobraCommander]

Prowl looks decent, not sure about Bee.

[pud333]

Prowl looks decent, not sure about Bee.

I agree, Prowl seems okay. But I think I'm going to pass on this line. Nothing has really jumped out at me yet in order for me to want it. My wallet has sighed a breath of relief :D

[slippy]

i'm diggin these animated toys!
can't wait to get some

[ohnaji]

Prowl looks great. Definite purchase for sure. BB is my favorite character so I'll be picking him up regardless. I am slightly disappointed that BB's stingers can't be fully concealed in robot mode, but the poseability of this figure makes up for that. Speaking of articulation, does the kibble on the back of BB's leg limit movement?
The overall look of these figures are impressive, even if Prowl comes with a goofy traffic light accessory.

[Paradigm-Shift Prime]

i agree too, prowl looks quite nice, BB looks cheap and cheesy.

[SPLIT LIP]

BB looks better than Prowl. I don't see what's cheap and cheesy about him. He's a toy.

Both deffinate buys.

[kakit]

Prowl looks damn nice, very well done with the transformation and keeping everything almost hidden. Thanks for the pics Pascal =D

[Pascal]

Speaking of articulation, does the kibble on the back of BB's leg limit movement?

Not really, the tip of the windshield/roof half goes around the outside part of the knee when you rotate the lower leg up. The windshield/roof halves are spring-loaded btw. You pull, you rotate them around and they snap back against the back of the legs.

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3305.jpg

[Pascal]

i agree too, prowl looks quite nice, BB looks cheap and cheesy.

Unfortunately, I'd say that Prowl feels the cheapest of the 2. A lot of articulation, but not enough material it seems.

Group shot...

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k132/megatroptimus/100_3306.jpg

[jourdo]

These look sexy! This line cannot start soon enough.

[MightAsWell Go4ASoda]

DO WANT. so bad.

They look awsome, and i need them on my shelf

[PrimeConvoy]

Looking good...BB should of been smaller somehow, looks way to big with the other. Still kickass and is still a must have.

[ohnaji]

Not really, the tip of the windshield/roof half goes around the outside part of the knee when you rotate the lower leg up. The windshield/roof halves are spring-loaded btw. You pull, you rotate them around and they snap back against the back of the legs.


Thanks for replying and posting the pic. Although the designers may have cheated on robot mode, BB still seems to be a fun figure. Hasbro will definitely milk this mold for all its worth. Cliffjumper doesn't seem too far off, and I'll bet there'll be something like a premium animated DLX and remold BB with a Battlemask. Unfortunately I'm too much of a sucker NOT to buy it (if those do come out). These toys look awesome, can't wait to get my grubby hands on them!

[Team Jetfire]

BB's got a big head, I'm not kidding, it's like an orange on a toothpick.

That's a huge noggin. That's a virtual planetoid.
BB's head has it's own weather system.

I'm not kidding, that bot's head is like Sputnik; spherical but quite pointy at parts! Now that was offsides, wasn't it? He'll be crying himself to sleep tonight, on his huge pillow.

...and I'm done with the Quotes...

They still look great. I will be waiting at tru to give them my money.

[Robimus]

I really like the BB, not so much the Prowl but then I haven't really liked the Prowl look in the 'toon either. I'll definitly pick up Bumblebee when they hit. Thanks Pascal, pics are always great!

[Icetron]

Can't wait for these! Thanks for pics. :D

[Paradigm-Shift Prime]

Which is your favourite of what you have so far Pascal?

[Pascal]

For transformation, Bumblebee, but overall Prime because he's more dynamic in robot mode and has more weapon options. Starscream is excellent too. So Prowl is my least favorite so far (but I still like it).

[mitchmurphy]

great read (pros/cons)

ill be getting both, prowl 1st tho

[Echotransformer]

Thanks for the pics, Pascal. Really looking forward to this line...looks great so far.

[JLvatron]

Awsome stuff Pascal! Great review and pictures.:)

How did you get your hands on these? Are they out in Japan or something?

[Pascal]

There not out until June but there are tons of samples for sale on Ebay.

I got BB and Prowl from an Ebay seller (TFC Toys) but outside of Ebay. Same guy who sold me Animated Prime before xmas.

I'm getting Megatron, Bulkhead and Starscream from another Ebay seller through Ebay (herootoymaker).

I originally got my first Starscream from an Ebay seller (SPX Toys) outside of Ebay, but I haven't heard from him in ages.

[jourdo]

I'm getting Megatron, Bulkhead and Starscream from another Ebay seller through Ebay (herootoymaker).

He had a Megatron???? Damn... when was that?

[SPLIT LIP]

He had a Megatron???? Damn... when was that?He had one listed for like a month, then another and I think a third one. (last two could be the same)

Animated is great. Finally a line that doesn't suck at all. (Movie came close, but there were too many turds to be suck-less)

[Pascal]

He sold quite a bunch of Megatrons for $31 shipped... I got mine for $100 shipped! Oh well, at least I'm getting one... Right now, he's selling a bunch of Bulkheads, Primes and Bumblebees for $31 shipped.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZheerotoysmaker (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-1751-2978-71/1?AID=5463217&PID=1693881&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%2F_W0QQsassZheero toysmaker)

Even though I'm buying stuff from him, I really despise the guy. Not only he's making top dollars with stolen toys, but he's also screwing Ebay by circumventing Ebay fees (BIN for $1, shipping $30). Another seller from the same country told me actual shipping for an animated figure (deluxe or Voyager) was $12. So he's still making about $12-15 for every toy he's selling, not even counting all the ones (well over a hundred units, no kidding) that he sold for much more (close to $200 if not more for certain toys when they first started to surface). Yikes. He's reliable, but still... I'd rather see honest auctions with actual shipping costs listed.